Effect of dietary menhaden oil on normal growth and development and on ameliorating mucosal injury in rats

Article Abstract:

Infectious diarrhea is the leading disease-associated cause of death of children worldwide. Children with diarrhea in underdeveloped countries have a worse prognosis because of malnutrition. Viral, bacterial, and parasitic pathogens (disease-causing organisms) can severely injure the mucosal lining of the intestines, and this is exacerbated by poor nutrition. Mucosal regeneration is aided and weight loss minimized by feedings given during diarrhea. The processes and nutrients contributing to mucosal regeneration are poorly understood, although triglycerides (fats) composed of particular fatty acids and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2, a locally produced and locally acting hormone derived from certain fatty acids) can enhance mucosal growth. A diet containing 1 percent safflower oil, which contains essential fatty acids that are precursors for prostaglandins, aided mucosal growth, but a diet containing 10 percent safflower oil exacerbated mucosal damage, possibly due to other products derived from the fatty acids. To better understand these effects, rats were fed oil from menhaden (a type of fish), a rich source of the fatty acids which are precursors to leukotrienes (LTs) and other hormones which affect inflammation. Rats fed menhaden oil had higher DNA contents in the lower intestine, but lower activities of intestinal enzymes than rats fed safflower oil. Intestinal synthesis of LTB4 and PGE2 was lower in animals fed menhaden oil than in those fed safflower oil. Mucosal injury was induced by the drug indomethacin, and rats fed menhaden oil had less injury, indicated by higher mucosal weights both 3 and 10 days after drug administration. At 10 days, protein and DNA levels in the intestine were also higher in rats fed menhaden oil. The greater mucosal healing in menhaden oil-fed rats may be related to decreased inflammation from lower LTB4 levels, effects on protein hormones produced in the intestine, or other mechanisms. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Intestinal mucosa

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Are the n-3 fatty acids from dietary fish oil deposited in the triglyceride stores of adipose tissue?

Article Abstract:

In recent years, scientists have been investigating the possible beneficial health effects of fish oils in the diet. It has been suggested that consumption of these oils, which are primarily found in fatty marine fish, may help protect against coronary artery disease. The two fatty acids present in fish oils that may have the most biological significance are eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA); both are polyunsaturated and are referred to as the omega-3 (or n-3) fatty acids. Another fatty acid present in certain fish, cetoleic acid, is monounsaturated. All three substances have specific and potent biological effects. Rabbits were fed two types of fish oil supplement: MaxEPA, which is rich in EPA and DHA; and herring oil, which is high in cetoleic acid. The purpose of the study was to determine whether these fatty acids would be incorporated into the adipose tissue (body fat stores) of the rabbits. In rabbits fed MaxEPA, the adipose tissue content of EPA and DHA rose from 0 percent to 2.2 and 4.9 percent of total fatty acids, respectively. Rabbits given the herring oil had an increase in cetoleic acid from 0 to 7.9 percent of total fatty acids. These results suggest that the fish oil fatty acids were readily incorporated into the adipose tissue, a storage depot from which they could be released for use in metabolic processes. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Analysis, Adipose tissues, Adipose tissue

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Diabetes, fish oil, and vascular disease

Article Abstract:

Fish oil therapy to lower high blood pressure may be safe for use by diabetics to prevent cardiovascular disease. A recent study on the use of n-3 fatty acid fish oils showed that they may reduce blood pressure without compromising glucose tolerance in obese people with hypertension. Fish oil therapy consisted of a daily dose of four grams of n-3 fatty acids for 16 weeks. The lack of impact on glucose metabolism found in this study and others indicates that fish oil treatments may be used by people with insulin-dependent or non-insulin-dependent diabetes. Cardiovascular disease is the main cause of death among diabetics, and may be precipitated by hypertension, high blood fat levels, obesity, and high insulin levels. Fish oil therapy may also lower blood fat levels.

Editorial, Diabetes, Diabetes mellitus, Diet therapy, Glucose metabolism

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